By Kate Adams
In my hunt for anyway to get my MotoGP fix through the summer off season (I am down under after all) I fell down the rabbit hole of staring at MotoGP Liveries. I've rated them from my least favorite to my favorite.
@ Honda racing corporation
Factory Honda - 3/10
Tried and trusted isn't always the best way to do something. Much like their bike, the livery could benefit from a revamp. With the departure of Red Bull for the 2024 season, I'm hoping that Honda uses this time to consider a better way to display their coloring.
Vr46 Ducati - 3.5/10
Now, I have to admit, I must be one of the few fans who isn't a fan of Vale's yellow. This may factor into this rating, but the main reason for it is that it just looks like a bunch of sponsors got thrown on a bike, and there was no thought to a pattern among the sponsors as to what would look pretty.
GASGAS - 4/10
It's just very, very boring.
@MotoGP
Pramac Ducati - Special Livery Divine Comedy - 4.5/10
I like the concept but found the execution lacking in integrating the fire and water themes with the regular tones of the bike. This, plus not being a fan of the font used for the riders' numbers, makes this my least favorite special livery.
Factory Yamaha - 5/10
Unlike the outfits they put their umbrella crew in (Gresini would win this hands down), Yamaha has done adequately with their livery. While it works, the fact that they were outshone at testing by Alex Rins' testing livery says a lot.
Factory Ducati - 5/10
I consider this one to be the baseline. While it's a lovely livery, there isn't much more to it. It works well but could use more depth or texture. One thing that irked me was the inflexibility of the sponsors when it comes to running special liveries.
@Ducati
Factory Ducati - Special Livery Yellow - 5.5/10
Perhaps the biggest let down of this entire concept for me is the fact Lenovo do not have a back up 'sponsor stamp' and we get stuck with a big red sticker in the middle of what could have been a beautiful bike. It does get a big plus .5 for the way they continue to angle their sponsors to compliment the shape of the bike.
LCR Honda - 6/5
While the colors complement each other, no matter how many times my father says "blue and green should never be seen," they do manage to make it work. However, LCR falls prey to too many sponsors vying for bike space, appearing a bit too busy for my eyes.
RNF Aprilia - 6/10
The use of consistent lines that aren't straight and work with the dimensions and shape of the bike makes the integration of numerous sponsors much more fluid compared to VR46. This, coupled with the use of complementary colors, bumps RNF up to a 6.
@RNF Aprilia
Factory Aprilia - 7/10
Now, while VR46 has a black base with sticker-style logos, Factory Aprilia has done it so much better. Each sponsor looks as though it has been placed on a part of the bike that complements the shape of the bike. The combination of black, white, and red with purple and green accents flatters the sponsors rather than alienating them.
Gresini Ducati - 7/10 This is almost color done so well. The addition of red on the aero is what pushes this design down my list, as I think white on the wings would have added more sharpness and clarity to the livery.
RNF Aprilia - Special Livery, Barbie inspired - 7.5/10 Plus 5 points for a pink bike on the grid, minus 2 points for the fact that I strongly suspect the use of this livery caused a dual DNF for Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez. The bike sure looked incredible, and I only wish we had gotten more screen time with it. The way it looks like paint is dripping through the bike is a great addition.
@RNF
Pramac Ducati - 7.5/10
Similar to the factory Aprilia, Pramac has put thought and effort into the sponsor placement, the way their livery flows with the shape of the bike. What it does even better is use both Prima and Pramac's colors throughout the bike, using shapes to make the bike itself desirable without overloading it with sponsors.
Idemitsu Honda - 8/10 Using just two colors and shades of those colors to make up the majority of the design really helps this bike rank near the top of this list. The repetition of the Idemitsu logo is just enough to not be overpowering, and the partner sponsors having black and white logos help complete this bike's design.
Gresini Racing - Special Livery Fausto Gresini - 8/10
What is it about white bikes that makes me happy? I'm not sure, but the white on this livery and the fact it's a nod to the teams namesake factors into this rating. The use of the circle spot behind the number invokes retro feelings and overall it's a lovely bike to see.
@Gresini Racing
Factory KTM - 8.5/10
The fact that every time Brad Binder and Jack Miller throw their leg over that motorcycle, the livery has them sitting on the back of a bull sums up the reason this livery is ranked so high. KTM has the benefit of big-name sponsors who throw a lot of money at the project, and the fact that Red Bull and KTM have complementary colors easily puts this bike in the top spot of my regular livery ratings.
LCR Honda - Special Livery Castrol - 10/10Maybe it's the touch of nostalgia that this livery invokes, a design developed over time yet staying true to its roots. The use of green and red complemented by specific sections of black where required just makes my eyes happy. Overall, I think that each year a variation of this design would easily take my top spot. I may be biased, but it's a stunning bike that I'm always excited to see taking a spot on the grid.
@LCR Honda
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